Couple in Gate City pick up meth, child abuse charges

GATE CITY — A call about a welfare check led to the arrest of two people on drug and child abuse charges for allegedly doing methamphetamine around a toddler and a newborn baby, according to a police report.

On Jan. 24, officer Steve Smith with the Scott County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to Lot 516 on Bethany Street for a welfare check. When he arrived, he spotted a pipe commonly used to smoke crystal meth lying in plain view, he wrote in his report. He also saw a 3-week-old infant and a 2-year-old in the home.

Smith obtained written consent from the lease holder to search the home, according to the report. He found Kayla Barnes, 22, 1921 Bowater Drive, Apt. 49, Kingsport, and Samuel Pressley, 31, 5091 Metts Road, Statesboro, Georgia, inside the home.

In a back bathroom, Smith located a small bag of a crystal-like substance that tested positive for meth, another smoking pipe, needles and spoons, according to the police report.

Barnes allegedly admitted to the officer she had smoked meth earlier in the day. Smith stated in his report he also found pieces of a pill in Barnes' belongings. Barnes allegedly told the officer the pill was Subutex.

Barnes and Pressley, the mother and father to the children found in the home, were arrested and charged with possession of Schedule II drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and child endangerment. Barnes picked up an additional charge of possession of Schedule III drugs for the pill found in her belongings. They were both taken to the Duffield Regional Jail.

The next day, Pressley was at the Scott County Sheriff's Office being interviewed by officer Clint Johnson. During the interview, Johnson witnessed a small plastic bag fall out of Pressley's jacket pocket, according to a police report.

The bag was seized and allegedly contained methamphetamine. Pressley picked up additional charges of possession of Schedule II drugs and unlawful possession by a prisoner.